This month we will use a photo prompt chosen by last month’s “Photo- Prompt” Poet of the Week ~ Diana Peach.

It was the mating season in “La Marisma,” and Ramita was excited because he had finally come of age, which meant he could select a mate. Who he chose was a no brainer because he only had eyes for one female. The only problem was that Orquídea was the most beautiful of the Orchid Flies in La Marisma, and she had many suitors. So, Ramita decided that the only way he could win Orquídea for himself was to impress her, but many others would try the same. He would have to impress her more than anyone. How could he do that? He wasn’t a fancy Mantis, Ulysses butterfly, or Christmas beetle; he was only Ramita.

Then an idea sprung in his head; he would give Orquídea the last Chocolate Cosmos flower in existence. It would not last long after he picked it, but she could wear it like a crown, its deep brownish-red color would complement her pretty green and blue jewel tones and she would enjoy the flower’s rich chocolate fragrance as she wore it. Yes! He was thrilled with his idea. But, there was yet another hitch to his plan. The Chocolate Cosmos flower was protected by a sorcerer snake.

His grandfather once told him that there was a field filled with these flowers and the chocolate smell was intoxicating. Unfortunately, one by one the flowers were picked until only two were left. The sorcerer snake then decided he would protect the flowers before they became extinct. Ramita’s grandfather told him that a wise creature discovered the only way to get one of the flowers was by putting the snake in a trance with music. That’s how Ramita planned on stealing the last flower. He was a good flute player.

He rose before dawn and began his journey to steal the last Chocolate Cosmos flower from the sorcerer snake. When he arrived he immediately came face to face with the snake.

“Who are you and what are you doing so far from home?” the snake asked.

“If you don’t know my name how could you know I’m far from home?” Ramita said.

The snake frowned and said, “No one lives in these parts. You’re here for the flower aren’t you?”

“Yes, I am.”

“You know it’s the last one in existence, don’t you?”

“I do.”

“But you’re still willing to rip it out of the ground and kill it knowing you’ll never see or smell another like it?”

Ramita looked to the ground. “There’s someone I need to impress and only this flower will do.”

“Really?”

Ramita furrowed his brow, making his long, thin antennae wiggle. “Well, I love her, and she’s the most beautiful creature in La Marisma. If I want her to choose me over all the suitors, I have to impress her.”

“And you think to give her a flower that she’d never be able to enjoy again will impress her? Besides, it’s not worth being with someone you have to impress all the time.”

“Pollination and fertilization have occurred, and the Chocolate Cosmos flower will soon develop seeds. Then perhaps she can produce a field of flowers, but if you take her now, that will never happen, and the flower will be gone forever. I leave the choice to you.”

Ramita thought long and hard. “I will leave the flower be,” he said.

“Excellent choice! You could have played your flute, and rendered me helpless, and stolen the flower, but you made a wise choice not to do that, so I will help you get your mate.”

Ramita jumped to his feet, displaying a smile only someone genuinely happy can wear. “Will you use a magic spell or perhaps a love potion?”

“No, no, no. None of that is necessary. If the special one is worthy of your love, she will be so impressed by your choice that she will fall in love with you. Bring her here and let her see the flower you saved, let its decadent chocolate fragrance waft into her nostrils, and entice her. She will be truly impressed then.”

Ramita did as the snake told him. It wasn’t easy to convince Orquídea to go with him, and of course, her annoying older brother and grandmother had to come along as chaperones, but he managed to bring them to the magical place where the flower grew.

The sorcerer snake greeted them and told the story of their encounter, and the wise choice Ramita had made. Orquídea was beyond impressed, and so were her family. She chose Ramita for his bravery, kindness, and wisdom. Every year on their anniversary, they visited the snake. The exotic flower reproduced successfully, and the ground was covered with them, and its fragrance filled the air.

Today’s poetry form is called a Senryu. I hope you like it.

Too good to be trueYou love me, and I love youI am your love bug

“It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.”

Thank you for reading, Linda. I love Fables, so when I saw the prompt image, I figured, let me give it a try. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it. I tried to write as fast as it was coming out of my head. Ha, ha. If you saw any typos, please let me know. 😀 Happy Friday and a great weekend!

I knew I was going to love this story when I read, “most beautiful of the Orchid Flies.” Great story, Vashti. I love the non-human characters and the world building around them. And the fantastic message at the end. A wise orchid fly and wiser snake. Thanks for the smile.

Hi, Debby! Yay! Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the story, poem, and quote, Sis. I think a picture book with enchanting insects as characters would be so cute, so we’ll see what the future holds. I appreciate your encouragement, though. Hugs & Kisses ❤ xo

It’s my pleasure, Yvette! I saw the prompt photo and immediately thought of a world of bugs––with the exception of the wise sorcerer snake, of course. Ha, ha. Some people do feel that they have to impress their significant others with gifts and other things, all the time, but that isn’t necessary if their partners love them. Thank you! ❤

A magical tale,Vashti, that has me entranced! Love how wisdom and love prevails … and the flower flourishes for all to enjoy! A lesson for us all and may such wise decisions be part of all our lives, on all levels of society.